Guide to Driving in Winter Conditions

For anyone who is unfamiliar with the trials of colder weather, moving to a frigid climate can be a slightly terrifying experience. Besides having to deal with purchasing a warmer wardrobe to ward off the cold, dwellers of colder climates also often have to face the perils of driving to work or school in less than ideal weather conditions. While everyone should avoid driving anywhere during inclement weather, here are a few suggestions for how to deal best with frost or snow if you absolutely have to drive in it.

1) Always leave plenty of extra time to arrive to your final destination when driving in adverse winter conditions. The ground will most likely be slippery, and there may even be black ice on the roadways. Choose routes that do not have many hills, are regularly driven on by a high percentage of traffic (this way they have a better chance of being cleared by the county of any ice/snow), and drive at a slower speed limit. There should be no rush when driving in these conditions. If chains are recommended for your car, then purchase and use them appropriately.

2) Remember to "pre-heat" your car. Often frost/ice will encase your windows and windshield in your car, making it impossible to see through them. Never try to drive like this. Instead, turn on your car (NOT while inside your garage) and turn on the defrost options. While this won't necessarily defrost the frost on the outside of your windows, it will make it easier for you to scrape off the outside ice because the heat will help to melt it off a little.

3) If there is snow, do not only brush off the sides and windows of your car to allow yourself to get into the vehicle. It is crucial that you also clear off the roof of your vehicle as well. If you do not take this extra step, then the snow on the roof of your car may slide off of the roof while you are driving (often while braking) and cover your windshield or back window. To save yourself from this happening, just remember to wipe off the roof of your car as well as the windows before you start driving.

4) If you live on top of a hill or any significant incline, park your vehicles in a safe and secure legal location at the bottom of the hill if the weather predication is for ice or snow and you think that you may have to drive the next day. You will not want to have to try to control your vehicle's rolling down the hill during adverse conditions; this way, your drive will be the safest it can be in winter conditions.